Thread: your opinion on stores that offer items MADE TO ORDER

just tossing this out there..what do you think of an etsy store or website full of MADE TO ORDER items? It's nearly impossible for me to stock all items right now, but what if I created listings where you had the option to order a dress, or veil, or skirt, and it was made to order..it may take two to four weeks to complete but at least you wouldn't have to keep watching the store to see if it ever appears in stock..opinions?

Would the price change?

I usually shop your Oops section, so it wouldn't make a difference to me.

yes, made to order may be 5 dollars more but I really need to do a price increase anyways, the demand for akai right now exceeds my ability to supply. I have more wholesale accounts than I can handle and I need to raise retail a bit so I can adjust wholesale prices a bit higher too. My resellers are making more than I do, which is great but I need to bump it up a bit.

I will still attempt to stock some common items and also some exclusive hand painted items too. But it sure would be nice to have a full gallery of colors, and next to it a dancer can fill in a request form that stated:
rectangle veil
half circle veil/s
skirt
dress
scarf etc

it would be soo much more efficient and drop overhead considerably

i would totally be interested!!! yup yup yup. i would wait a few weeks to get something custom. i already do shop etsy (love it) my last order of menstrual pads sigh yes menstrual pads were a custom order.

do you currently have an etsy store? if so i'd love to go see what you are currently selling. i do buy etsy. currently my need is more student/practice gear.

I would seriously love that. I've been wondering when you might offer custom again! Sounds like a win-win; customers get exactly what they're looking for and you get to manage your inventory more effectively. DO IT!!

$5 isn't bad. Another question I have is would you also entertain some special requests? Let's say you have design I love but want it in different colors. Would that be possible?

I don't think the wait time is bad, either.

to clarify it wouldn't really be custom..it would be based on the color designs offered at PictureTrail - Gallery

you would be able to ask for rectangle or half circle or fan veils, etc. length of veil could probably be a custom request

right now I'm not quite ready for 'custom' as in changing up the colors yet

yup..etsy store is A'Kai Silks silk veils scarves skirts bellydance by akaisilks

I also have Silk and Sun by silkandsun on Etsy that i use temporarily when the akaisilks store is glitched (it's resolved now)

yayy!!

again it's made to order not custom so to speak..we'll get to that!

So I'd be able to say "Jes, can I get a 4 yard OR ultralight veil in Merkaba?" (yeah, I know the ultralight ultrawides don't really come in any more)

I would be in heaven.

OTOH, seeing a veil in a pattern I love in the Etsy store makes me feel some time pressure to snatch it up. Knowing it's available on request I might procrastinate for months or NEVER get around to placing the order. So there is a downside.

haha I know you are dying for ultralights..I'll get there :)

yeah there is a downside but when I offer custom order spots or anything of this nature in the past, they fill up quick

we'll see how it goes, here is a sample listing already activated

2 large half circle silk veils belly dance costume by akaisilks

I think a mix is good. Have some ready to order veils and some listings that are standard colors and made on request. That way people get more of an idea of what you offer. I can't stalk your store if I don't know you make my perfect color combination! You may also be able to do some veils that are just solid colors for those that can't wait. I've heard a few dancers saying that they wish they could get more solid color options.

hi Rio..Eshta here on bhuz makes lovely solid color veils ..they are not my forte but I know she does gorgeous work.. :)

thanks for the feedback, the made to order option is doing well :)

thanks jess!
The made to order option is awesome just as long as they know how long it is going to take and are willing to wait. There has to be some flexibility but I think people will wait since they know they are getting a quality item specially made from a true artist.

I would LOVE it if I were able to buy a single halfcircle instead of having to buy a set. The size of restaurant spaces makes 1/2 circles work best for me but I always end up having to sell the other locally...

I do single half circles and I bet Jessenia would do it for you by request.

yup I'm happy to make a listing for it :)